Israeli Army Reservist and Civilian Charged for Using Classified Info to Bet on Polymarket

Authorities say the suspects placed bets on the prediction platform based on secret military information, posing a security risk.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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Two Israelis, an army reservist and a civilian, have been charged for allegedly using classified military information to place bets on the prediction platform Polymarket. Israeli authorities said the suspects were arrested on suspicion of betting on Polymarket "regarding the occurrence of military operations, based on classified information to which the reservists were exposed as part of their military duties." No further details were provided about the specific bets, but the Israeli Defense Forces stressed that "no operational harm was caused in this specific incident."

Why it matters

This case highlights concerns about the potential misuse of classified information for personal financial gain, which could pose serious security risks. Prediction markets like Polymarket have faced scrutiny over whether they enable individuals with access to non-public information to profit unfairly, and this incident in Israel underscores those broader debates around the regulation of such platforms.

The details

The two suspects, whose names have not been publicly released, were charged with "serious security offenses" as well as bribery and obstruction of justice. Authorities said their investigation found sufficient evidence to indict the pair. The Israeli Defense Forces said the incident represented a "grave ethical failure" and that disciplinary action would be taken against anyone found guilty of such crimes. Measures will also be taken to prevent similar cases from recurring across IDF units.

  • The suspects were arrested on an unspecified date following an investigation.

The players

Israeli Defense Forces (IDF)

The military defense forces of Israel, which stressed that "no operational harm was caused in this specific incident" related to the alleged misuse of classified information.

Israeli Defense Ministry, Police, and Shin Bet

The Israeli government agencies that jointly announced the charges against the two suspects and investigated the case.

Polymarket

The prediction platform where the suspects allegedly used classified information to place bets, which has faced broader scrutiny over the potential misuse of non-public data.

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What they’re saying

“The defense establishment emphasizes that engaging in such betting activities, based on secret and classified information, poses a substantial security risk to IDF operations and to the security of the state.”

— Israeli Defense Ministry (nbcnews.com)

“The IDF views with utmost severity any act that endangers the security of the state, particularly the use of highly classified information for the purpose of personal gain.”

— IDF Spokesperson (nbcnews.com)

What’s next

Authorities said disciplinary action would be taken against anyone found guilty of the alleged crimes, and that measures would be implemented across IDF units to prevent similar cases from recurring.

The takeaway

This incident underscores the serious security risks posed by the potential misuse of classified information for personal financial gain, and highlights the ongoing challenges in regulating emerging prediction market platforms that could enable such abuses of sensitive data.